Wike cuts UniAbuja land from 11,000 to 4,000 hectares, gives reasons

Femi Fabunmi

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced the recovery of 7,000 hectares of land from the University of Abuja, leaving it with 4,000 hectares out of the 11,000 hectares initially acquired.

Speaking during the commissioning of newly constructed access roads in the Giri District of Abuja, Wike accused the university of land grabbing, stating that it fenced off vast areas without proper documentation or approval.

“The university on their own grabbed 11,000 hectares. I said that will not happen. No document, nothing. You see them fencing everywhere, and before you know it, they would have gone to sell our land,” he said.

The minister directed the Director of Lands and other relevant FCTA agencies to allocate only 4,000 hectares to the university, adding that the remaining land will be reallocated for planned development within the district.

Wike assured residents that the FCT Administration was committed to infrastructural development in Giri and neighbouring areas. He disclosed that internal road construction within the district would commence soon, with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) already working on the plans.

“Having created this access road, we have told the Executive Secretary of FCDA and other relevant agencies to start working on details of how we are going to do the roads within the district. So, be assured that maybe next one year, it will be a different thing,” he said.

He also hinted at plans to collaborate with the National Assembly to establish institutions within the district, promising that the FCTA would provide land to fast-track such projects.

Wike noted that the EFCC Academy, located in the area, is expected to commence operations immediately following the completion of the road, as it now allows for easy equipment mobilisation and structural development.

“They will start the academy immediately because now they have access roads that they can move in their equipment and develop this. And when this comes, you see that other people will also move in and develop their own area,” he added.

Highlighting the challenge of infrastructure scarcity discouraging land development, Wike pledged to provide essential amenities such as roads, water, and electricity to attract investors and improve living standards in the district.

“Most of the problems we’re having here is that sometimes when you allocate land, there are no facilities, no infrastructure, and people are not encouraged. So, we will do everything we can to see that basic infrastructure is being provided,” he assured.